Mohiniyattam - female, solo dance of Kerala

Mohiniyattam is one of the eight Indian classical dance forms. This dance form of Kerala, South India is a combination of two words, mohini meaning a woman who enchants onlookers and aattam meaning graceful and sensuous body movements.

Mohiniyattam (mohiniyattom) is soft and gentle and previously belonged to the Devdasi (temple dancers) community of Kerala. This dance form is appreciated widely today, primarily because of its unique form, excellent grace, amiable facial expressions and elegant mudras.

The dress code of a Mohiniyattam performer comprises a cream coloured gold plated sari (saree) with a wide golden border and gold ornaments.

A name that is worth mentioning here is that of the poetVallathol Narayana Menon, the founder of the Kerala Kalamandalam. His hard work has given Moniniyattam a respectable status in society.